Churn-operating mechanism.



F. N. JOHNSON. GHURN OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-16,1907.

Patented June 15,1909.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

' ATTORNEY FREDERICK N. JOHNSON, OF ROWLETT, TEXAS.

CHURN-OPERATING MECLHANISl/I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 16, 1907.

Patented June 15, 1909.

Serial No. 388,763.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK N. JOHN- son, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rowlett, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Churn-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in churns and has more particular relation to operating mechanism for the same. v

An object of the invention is to provide a spring motor suitably geared to operate a rotary dasher churn, and including automatic speed regulating means and a positive brake.

Another feature resides in a jointed connection whereby the operating mechanism may be readily disengaged from the churn and the latter removed from the operating frame.

Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be strong, durable, efiicient and simple, and comparatively inexpensive to construct, also one in which the several parts will not be liable to get out of working order.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features, an example of which is described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a part of the casing in section,.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view with parts shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional viewtaken on the line 1,/ of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is an end elevation, a portion of the casing cover being broken away to show the mechanism within the case.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a frame suitably braced and supported. On this frame a casing 2, comprising vertical transverse walls 3, 4 and 5, is mounted. In the lower portion of this casing, which lies at one end of the frame, a winding and driving shaft 6 is mounted in suitable bearings supported in the walls 3 and 41. The outer end of this shaft projects beyond the wall 3 and receives a winding crank 7. One or more springs as 8 are mounted on the shaft 6 for imparting motion thereto. The outer end of the spring 8 is suitably fastened to a bar 9 fixed in the casing. A driving gear 10 is loosely mounted 011 the shaft and carries on its side a pawl 11 which engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 12 fixed on said shaft.

It is apparent that when the spring is wound by revolving the shaft 6 to the left with relation to Fig. 3, the ratchet wheel is rotated to the left, its teeth riding under the pawl, the driving gear remaining idle. However, as the spring unwinds, the pawl 11 catches in the teeth of the ratchet wheel 12, motion thus being imparted to the driving gear and the same rotated to the right, with relation to Fig. 3.

A shaft 14 suitably supported in bearings between the walls 3 and 4 above and to one side of shaft 6, carries a gear 15 meshing with the gear 10 and driven to the left thereby. This same shaft also has fixed thereon a pinion 16 driven in the same direction and meshing with a gear 17 mounted on a shaft 18 suitably supported between the walls. The gear 17 is thus revolved to the right and meshes with a gear 19 mounted on an operating shaft 20, which extends longitudinally and centrally of the frame and is driven to the left, all of the above with relation to Fig. 3.

The shaft 20 being suitably supported in bearings on the walls 3 and 4, is connected at its projecting end with a coupling 21 disposed within the casing between the walls 4 and 5. The opposite end of this coupling is secured to the inner end of a transmitting shaft 22, which passes through separable bearings 23 and 24 mounted on the wall 5 and the outer end of the frame. A miter gear 25 is keyed on the shaft 22 and meshes with a miter gear 26 mounted on the upper end of the churn dasher shaft 27 of the churn 28, arranged within the frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A fan 29is also mounted on the shaft 22 in juxtaposition to the churn, serving to keep away insects, etc. The outer end of the shaft 22 terminates in a handle 38 while that part of the casing over and adj acent to coupling 21 is formed into a hinged cover 29, which may be swung up and back, thus exposing the coupling and the gearing 23. When it is desired to disconnect the miter gearing and remove the churn or its dasher, this cover may be swung up and the bearings 23 and 24 opened, thus permitting the operator to grasp the handle 38 and swing the shaft 22 upward. It will be noted that the side of the frame is open, thereby permitting the churn to be bodily removed therefrom. Of course suitable mechanism for holding the churn in position in the frame is provided, the construction of such mechanism being optional.

It is evident that some means must be provided for controlling the rotation of the gears and also means for completely stopping the same and holding the mechanism at rest when it is not desired to operate the churn. In carrying out such a construction a miter gear 30 is keyed on the shaft 20 adjacent the gear 19 and meshes with a miter gear 31 mounted on the end of a governor shaft 32 supported at right angles to the shaft 20. On this shaft a suitable spring governor 33 is connected at its outer end to a brake disk 34 loosely mounted on the shaft 32, while a bracket 35 supports a set screw 36 parallel to the shaft 32 with its end in close relation to the inner side of the disk. Thus the higher the rate of speed at which the governor is re volved, the nearer the disk 34 is drawn to the set screw 36, so that should the mechanism begin to race or run beyond the desired limit of speed, the disk 34 will be drawn into positive contact with the set screw 36, which will act as an automatic brake and retard the revolution of the shafts and gears; It is obvious that by adjusting this screw, the speed may be controlled and regulated. On top of the casing 2 a brake screw 37 is suitably supported, so that when screwed down, the lower end will impinge on the periphery of the disk 34, thus locking the same against movement. This positive brake holds the mechanism against operation either after the spring 8 is wound, or during the winding thereof, in which the gear 10 being loosely mounted remains idle, permitting the shaft 6 to turn.

It will be understood that the mechanism may be wound at any time and held against movement by the set screw 37, so that when it is desired to operate the churn after the same has been properly connected, it is merely necessary to loosen the screw 37 which frees the disk, as will be apparent, and should it be desired to stop the mechanism at any time, it is merely necessary to turn the screw 37 down until it binds on the disk 34.

I wish to call particular attention to the simple arrangement and construction of the various parts and the utility and advantage of the jointed transmitting shaft whereby the churn may be easily and readily disconnected and removed. It is of course understood that the spring 8 may vary in size and a number of springs used if found necessary and advantageous. By the use of this mechanism the labor incident to the operation of churning is reduced to a minimum.

What I claim, is:

In an operating mechanism, the combination with a'suitably supported casing, of a spring motor supporting shaft, a gear mounted 011 the shaft, a countershaft mounted in the casing, a gear mounted on said shaft and meshing with the first named gear, a pinion mounted on the countershaft, a drive shaft mounted in the casing, a pinion mounted on the drive shaft, a second countershaft mounted in the casing, a gear mounted on the second countershaft and meshing with the pin ions of the first counter-shaft and the drive shaft, regulating device associated with, the drive shaft, an operating shaft having universal connection with the drive shaft and provided with a driving gear, and bearings mounted on the casing supporting the operating shaft and arranged to permit an up ward swing of the operating shaft.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK N. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

J. F. BAILEY, B. F. CHISHOLM. 

